Thou that wouldst taste it, Still do thy best; Use it, not waste it, Else 'tis no rest. Wouldst behold beauty Near thee all round? Only hath duty Such a sight found. Rest is not quitting The busy career; Rest is the fitting Of self to its sphere. 'Tis the brook's motion, Clear without strife, Fleeing to ocean After its life. Deeper devotion Nowhere hath knelt; Fuller emotion Heart never felt. 'Tis loving and serving The Highest and Best! 'Tis onwards, unswerving, And that is true rest. --John Sullivan Dwight. There is peace in power; the men who speak With the loudest tongues do least; And the surest sign of a mind that is weak Is its want of the power to rest. --John Boyle O'Reilly. EQUANIMITY Tost on a sea of troubles, Soul, my Soul, Thyself do thou control; And to the weapons of advancing foes A stubborn breast oppose: Undaunted 'mid the hostile might Of squadrons burning for the fight Thine be no boasting when the victor's crown Wins thee deserved renown; Thine no dejected sorrow, when defeat Would urge a base retreat; Rejoice in joyous things--nor overmuch Let grief thy bosom touch 'Midst evil, and still bear in mind How changeful are the ways of humankind. --Archilochos, tr. by William Hay. GOD'S PEACE Grant us Thy peace, down from thy presence falling, As on the thirsty earth cool night-dews sweet; Grant us thy peace, to thy pure paths recalling, From devious ways, our worn and wandering feet. Grant us Thy peace, through winning and through losing, Through gloom and gladness of our pilgrim way; Grant us thy peace, safe in thy love's enclosing, Thou who all things in heaven and earth dost sway. Give us Thy peace, not as the world has given, In momentary rays that fitful gleamed, But calm, deep, sure, the peace of spirits shriven, Of hearts surrendered and of souls redeemed. Grant us thy peace, that like a deepening river Swells ever outward to the sea of praise. O thou of peace the only Lord and Giver, Grant us thy peace, O Saviour, all our days. --Eliza Scudder. THE INNER CALM Calm me, my God, and keep me calm, While these hot breezes blow; Be like the night-dew's cooling balm Upon earth's fevered brow. Calm me, my God, and keep me calm, Soft resting on thy breast; Soothe me with holy hymn and psalm And bid my spirit rest. Yes, keep me calm, though loud and rude The sounds my ear that greet; Calm in the closet's solitude, Calm in the bustling street; Calm in the hour of buoyant health, Calm in my hour of pain, Calm in my poverty or wealth, Calm in my loss or gain;